Introduction:
Succenturiate placenta exists as a morphological variation of placenta
in which one or more accessory lobes of placenta known as succenturiate
lobes are present. In order to be identified as a succenturiate placenta
morphologically, the accessory lobe should be connected to the main lobe
of the placenta by fetal blood vessels [1–3] Female above 35 years
of age, diabetic mothers and the females who have adopted In Vitro
Fertilization (IVF) have greater risk of developing succenturiate
placenta.[1,3,4] These risk factors are linked with progressive
vascular damage of placenta which could be the probable mechanism
responsible for the abnormality of placenta [1]
Placental abnormality is a common cause of perinatal death. [1] Vasa
previa which is the commonest complication associated with presence of
succenturiate placenta has a fetal mortality rate of 33% to
100%[4] Such pregnancies are also often complicated with fetal
hemorrhage as a result of placenta previa.[2,3] 2% of low-risk
pregnancy require caesarian section after the onset of labor because of
presence of succenturiate lobe of placenta.[1] Accessory lobe along
with the connecting blood vessels can also be retained even after
delivery causing post-partum hemorrhage and infection.[1,3–8]
Complications in pregnancy with succenturiate placenta are mostly
manageable by obstetricians when the condition is known beforehand. It
can be suspected by regular ultrasonography. The result can be useful to
guide the obstetrician to stay alert till the expulsion of both lobes
and hence prevent post-partum hemorrhage and infection. However,
succenturiate placenta is a rare condition whose accurate detection by
ultrasonography during antenatal examination is challenging. [1]
Therefore it has mostly been detected and reported retrospectively.
[5]